New Delhi, November 15: India’s newest batting prodigy, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, produced one of the most astonishing knocks ever seen in men’s T20 cricket, hammering 144 off just 42 balls for India A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars opener against UAE. His innings, packed with clean hitting and fearless intent, has instantly elevated him to global attention.
The teenager’s hundred arrived in 32 balls, making it the joint-second fastest century by an Indian in men’s T20s, matched only by Rishabh Pant’s 2018 effort and behind the 28-ball domestic blitzes by Urvil Patel and Abhishek Sharma. In the broader landscape of the game, his ton stands as the joint-fifth fastest in men’s T20 history.
Youngest to Score a Hundred at Senior National Level
At 14 years and 232 days, Suryavanshi also broke a long-standing age-related milestone by becoming the youngest male cricketer to score a century for a national representative team at the senior level.
The previous record belonged to Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who was 16 years and 171 days when he made 111* for Bangladesh A in 2005.
A Knock of Sheer Power and Precision
Suryavanshi survived a dropped chance off the very first ball of his innings—after which his assault never slowed. His 42-ball spectacle featured:
- 11 fours
- 15 sixes
- Strike rate: 342.85 — the fourth-highest ever for an innings of 100+ in men’s T20 cricket.
He was eventually dismissed in the 13th over, but not before producing a performance that shattered multiple age and speed records.
Second T20 Century of His Young Career
The innings marks Suryavanshi’s second T20 century, following the 35-ball hundred he smashed for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 — an effort that made him the second-fastest centurion in IPL history, behind only Chris Gayle’s iconic 30-ball ton in 2011.
At just 14, he is already the youngest player ever to register a century in professional T20 cricket.
“No Pressure — I Back My Game”
Speaking after the match, Suryavanshi credited his clarity and upbringing for his composure at the crease:
“It’s my natural game. Even after the dropped chance, I didn’t want to change my intent. The wicket was good, the boundary was small, so I backed my shots.”
He also acknowledged the discipline instilled by his father:
“He was strict with me since childhood. Earlier I didn’t understand why, but now I can see the benefits on the field. Staying focused and working hard — it’s all because of him.”
The teenager brushed aside suggestions of pressure despite the expectations surrounding him:
“There’s no pressure. Once I enter the ground, the outside world disappears. I focus only on the ball.”
A Generational Talent Emerges
Suryavanshi’s rapid rise—two T20 hundreds before turning 15, record-breaking strike rates, and an unmatched level of calm for his age—has sparked conversation across the cricketing world. His latest performance is being hailed as a defining moment for India’s next-generation batting depth.
Selectors and former players have already begun calling him a “rare talent” capable of reshaping India’s white-ball future.
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